THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT CRITICISED.

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 October 1908, Page 2

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT CRITICISED.

HON A. J. -BALFODR’S SPEECH. r ‘‘ f v/r» [PER . PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPHUfiET J ! ’ LONDON, Oct 7. Hop. Mr Ralfbui' 1 speaking at Dumfries, and referring to the reform of the House dl Lords, said he was dismayed at the idea of the establishment of an elective chamber co-equal with the House of Commons, The country would not tolerate the possession by the House of Commons of the power to pass without discussion meas ures of tho utmost importance without they were reviewed by some second chamber. Mr Balfour condemned the Government’s reckless and irresponsible schemes of (social , reform. Ho censured . ? Hq» Opyd George’s disastrous at* Hack* fin-, tho propertied classes,, which were calculated io destroy confidence which watf a’f; the root of all enterprise. (While: 1 he himself was a profound believer'in fiscal reform as a means-,of promoting the unity of the Empire jand stability of trade and growth of national industry, he did not pretend to believe the alterations of affluence and depression of feveriesh overproduction and melancholy under production could be cured by any system of fiscal reform.